Was this try recent? What version of ubuntu? The reason that I ask is that later linux kernels may have the appropriate driver for your wifi. I think that LM19 has the Linux kernel 4.15.0-20. Drivers are packaged with the kernel. You can "add" drivers but it is rarely needed.

Do you know what the chipset is for the wifi that you were using in your ubuntu test? I have not figured it out from amazon for your "base" motherboard. It may be an Intel AC 9560?

This is probably not a problem, and probably not worth your time "putzing around" with it, but it might be interesting?

Thanks!Ralph

NOTE: I was able to get everything working (including wifI) on all of these laptops and desktops using Linux Mint. They may not have been "bleeding edge" tech, though.

My ubuntu test was on an older motherboard, probably 2 generations ago. One of the big new additions to the Intel-based B360/H370 boards is built-in support for WiFi (although it must be implemented by the manufacturer). That means this integrated Intel solution is going to become the reference WiFi going forward (and Intel probably was already), so I would go in assuming that the WiFi will work on Ubuntu today using new hardware.

The MX500 is supported by the motherboard - it's just newer than the board, which is why it isn't listed. The board will actually support any SATA M.2 drive.

OK, if a light is turning on, it clearly has power. What I'd suggest is unplugging the hard drive and seeing if the system will recognize the M.2 drive at that point. There could be an overlap between the SATA port you're using and the M.2 slot. There are limited SATA resources available on the chipset. If this works, just move the hard drive to another port.

If this doesn't work, you could have either a motherboard or SSD issue, and it will be pretty hard to tell which one it is. Replacing the SSD is obviously easier.

Just to close the loop here: I talked with Gigabyte support and they weren't really sure where the problem was. They implied the MX500 was supported. But on Crucial's site, they explicitly say it's NOT compatible with the Gigabyte H370N Wifi http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/CT500MX500SSD4 Crucial suggests using the 2.5" version of the drive instead http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/h370n-wifi/CT12217200 Which I did since I didn't want to deal with the hassle and don't really have plans to use the second bay.

The MX500 is supported by the motherboard - it's just newer than the board, which is why it isn't listed. The board will actually support any SATA M.2 drive.

OK, if a light is turning on, it clearly has power. What I'd suggest is unplugging the hard drive and seeing if the system will recognize the M.2 drive at that point. There could be an overlap between the SATA port you're using and the M.2 slot. There are limited SATA resources available on the chipset. If this works, just move the hard drive to another port.

If this doesn't work, you could have either a motherboard or SSD issue, and it will be pretty hard to tell which one it is. Replacing the SSD is obviously easier.

Just to close the loop here: I talked with Gigabyte support and they weren't really sure where the problem was. They implied the MX500 was supported. But on Crucial's site, they explicitly say it's NOT compatible with the Gigabyte H370N Wifi http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/CT500MX500SSD4 Crucial suggests using the 2.5" version of the drive instead http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/h370n-wifi/CT12217200 Which I did since I didn't want to deal with the hassle and don't really have plans to use the second bay.

M.2 drives are really pretty universal, so I'm not sure what Crucial is basing its determination that the MX500 won't work in the Gigabyte H370N WiFI board. You already confirmed that you are using the front slot, which is the one that's compatible with SATA devices like the MX500. Another forum reader just had a problem with another Gigabyte board and the MX500 drive, but it turned out he had used the PCIe-only slot. Since that doesn't apply to you, I honestly can't tell you what's wrong. I hesitate to believe that Crucial's determination is correct, as that would "break" the M.2 standard.

But in order for you to move ahead with your build, definitely feel free to get the 2.5" drive. It should absolutely work. When I have time, I'll look further into what Crucial is concerned about with the Gigabyte board. Crucial actually says the drive is compatible with the Gigabyte B360N WiFi that is the current main recommendation for the build, which only has one M.2 slot (on the back). My guess is that Crucial is incorrectly analyzing the H370N based on its rear-mounted PCIe-only slot.

I built the Mini-ITX PC with some minor changes from the current suggested base-design. I used an I3-8100 CPU, Noctura cooler (so quiet!), 16 GB of RAM, 1 TB Seagate hard-drive and a 500 GB m.2 Crucial SSD. Its a tight fit in the Antec Mini-ITX case, but not a problem. (I used the standard GIGABYTE B360N WiFi motherboard). This is my first build, so I had a few questions for my kids who have built several big desktops.

The only "problem" that I have had is with the SSD drive which gets warm under major load (like a disk format to ext4 and then the system install). The SSD is rated 0C - 70c and it hit a few peaks of 72C or so during the install. Since then, I cranked up the fan-curve on the CPU for a bit more air-flow and drilled a bunch of small holes (~300) in the fake-grid on SSD side of the case. The holes do not "show". These 2 changes seem to help take the peaks off of the SSD temp. I am currently running about 38C while browsing the web,....

I am running Linux Mint 19 (https://linuxmint.com/) and everything works perfectly! All hardware is recognized and used. The install to a "bare" system was trivial and it is extremely fast. Questions about LM19 -- drop me a note!

I have been running this unit for 2 months and it is great!! (see previous post for my specs) I do a lot of picture editing, video editing, and run a large database. I also do email, web-browsing,.... All are much faster on this unit than my 6 year old Dell laptop. The SSD runs cooler with a few (~300) extra holes in the fake plastic grid and is staying below the temperature limit at all times.

Climbing onto my "soapbox"...Spending $119 on Windows 10 (and more for Office...) for a system that costs about $500 total seems a bit silly!! One can use Linux Mint 19 instead for $0. I can read and write documents, spreadsheets, etc in Windows format. I can edit photos, videos, run databases, browse the web, do email, and even play tons of games (via Steam) using Linux Mint so I am not limited in any way. The GUI desktop will look very familiar to windows users. AND, I do not have to worry about viruses and other malware on the web (so sad ). There is lots of info on the web (including support for questions); see https://www.zdnet.com/article/linux-mint-18-the-best-desktop-period/ for a slightly old article on Linux Mint 18. Its something that the experimenter/hobbyists might consider. Questions??? Drop me a note!

I have been running this unit for 2 months and it is great!! (see previous post for my specs) I do a lot of picture editing, video editing, and run a large database. I also do email, web-browsing,.... All are much faster on this unit than my 6 year old Dell laptop. The SSD runs cooler with a few (~300) extra holes in the fake plastic grid and is staying below the temperature limit at all times.

Climbing onto my "soapbox"...Spending $119 on Windows 10 (and more for Office...) for a system that costs about $500 total seems a bit silly!! One can use Linux Mint 19 instead for $0. I can read and write documents, spreadsheets, etc in Windows format. I can edit photos, videos, run databases, browse the web, do email, and even play tons of games (via Steam) using Linux Mint so I am not limited in any way. The GUI desktop will look very familiar to windows users. AND, I do not have to worry about viruses and other malware on the web (so sad ). There is lots of info on the web (including support for questions); see https://www.zdnet.com/article/linux-mint-18-the-best-desktop-period/ for a slightly old article on Linux Mint 18. Its something that the experimenter/hobbyists might consider. Questions??? Drop me a note!

HAVE FUN!Ralph

Thanks for reporting your positive experience, Ralph! Sounds like Linux Mint would be a great alternative for a lot of PC users, especially those willing to do a little experimentation. You're right than on a budget PC build, the cost of Windows 10 alone can be pretty daunting.

When I have some spare time, I'm going to give Linux another test run, using your experience as a guide. In the past, I've found it a bit too "wonky" to recommend to a general audience, but maybe it's time to reconsider!

The comments at the bottom of the article are interesting to read also. Some of the complaints, IMHO, are weird, or total BS as I have never seen the problems that they talk about in the last decade or so.

Others comments are something like "I know windows and windows specific software and linux is bad". Little can be said about that viewpoint. Is Linux different"? Yep! Is it more difficult to use? I do not think so after running both windows and linux at work for many years. BTW, Android and Chromebooks run linux, so many of the linux-hostile people are using linux! LOL!

Mac OS is based on BSD Unix which is very closely related to Linux. I ran Mac OS at work for a while at work and I could see all the similarities between it and Linux, particularly "under-the-hood". Some Linux distros look very similar to Mac OS -- https://itsfoss.com/macos-like-linux-distros/

Cannot find an equivalent program to what you use in windows? Drop me a note as I may have something that I am currently using.Drop me a note if you have problems, questions, comments...,Ralph